Turn signal indicator switch



Oct. 8, V1963 A. R. scHElD 3,106,619

TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SWITCH Filed March 3l, 1958 INVENToR 57 /6 45 /Z ALFRED R. scHElD ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,106,6l9 TURN SIGNAL INEHCATR SWlTCH Alfred R. Scheid, Charlevoix, Mich., .assigner to Boyne Products, inc., Boyne City, Mich., .a corporation ci Michigan Filed Mar. 31, i958, Ser. No. '725,245 7 Claims. (Cl. 20d-llo) The present invention relates to a new and improved switch construction and more particularly to a switch peculiarly adapted to use as a control means for electrical turn indicator equipment on conventional automobiles. Still more specifically the present switch incorporates simplified operational structure to the end of eliminating numerous elements while substantially extending the operating life thereof.

Turn indicator switches are variously mounted association with varying specific types of cancelling mechanism. The driver manually or automatically selects a direction of turn and the associated mechanism moves Ithe switch into such a selected position so as `to signal the desired turn. This signalling through the switch and energizing of selected electrical circuits requires that the switch `system not interfere with other signalling circuits for operating brake Isignal lights and the like. The switch upon completion of the turn must recycle to a selected neutral or centered position where it must remain until further selected movement. The switch must be simple, durable, and have good test life.

Most of the prior art switches known have utilized a spring centered or biased actuator member which was in sliding contact with selected conducting surfaces. The gapping between the conducting surfaces established the operational sequencing of `the switch as the actuator was moved in one or another direction. Spring loaded arrangements in the manner of detent contact have also been used where the actuator moves either lineally or along and through a curvilinear path. The known types of swi-tches required complicated actuator members, numerous parts, yand elaborate insulation provisions making the switch bulky and diiicult to assemble.

The switch arrangements, `to accomplish these several functions simultaneously, were necessarily complex. With complexity as to .structure comes attendant mechanical and electrical failure.

In view of the foregoing problems existing in the switch field and more particularly in the eld of turn indicator devices, the present invention has for one of of its objects an improvement of automotive turn indicator switches iby way of simplification of structure.

Another object is to provide a new and improved arrangement of contactor posts.

Another object is to provide i'lat spring contacter elements which pocket and guide resilient bias elements so as to eliminate insulation problems as to such resilient bias elements while confining any deformation in the resilient bias members.

Still another object is to provide a case enclosure for switch elements which contains bias-tocenter mechanism and resilient flat spring slide contactors without special insulation provisions.

Still another object is to extend a single lead post to accommodate a pair of simple selective contact points, thereby simplifying wiring fto automotive circuits.

Another object is the provision of improved switch means wherein the inherent resilient character of the moving contactors assures adequate guiding and contact pressure, thereby reducing arcing at the contacts and reducing voltage drop through the switch.

Other objects will be more apparent to those skilled in the art from the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of vthe switch or" the present invention and showing depending electrical leads.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded front elevation View of the switch shown in FIGURE l and exposing all of the parts thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan Iview of the switch shown in FIGURE l with the cover element and actuator arm removed.

FiGURE 4 is a section View taken on the line lV-V of FIGURE 3.

:FlGURE 5 is a section view taken on the line V-V of FGURE 3 and indicating the spring guide groove located in `the recess and showing in cross section the cover in raised position with its spring retaining groove.

FIGURE 6 is a plan View of a modified form of contact.

ln general, a recessed case is provided, the case being made of selected, mechanically durable plastic having good electrical insulating properties such as nylon or the like. The recess in `the case provides a guideway or path in which i'lat spring contactors can lineally move. On one iside of the path are located a plurality oi spaced apart contact posts which extend upwardly through the case and partially extend into the recess.

One other contacter post is provided through the case but does not extend into the recess. To this latter post is attached a conducting liat spring spanning element which generally parallel-s the path defined in the case by the recess, the ends of the spanning element being curled and bent to extend resiliently into the path at either end of the path and on the side of the case opposite the first mentioned plurality of posts. An abutment provides support for the flat spring spanning element. The abutment is integrally formed from the case material and provides a centrally located non-conducting shoulder in one side of the path.

A stop or stop pin is centrally located in the recess opposite the abutment and provides stop means at center on the other side or" the path.

As one or the other of the flat spring contactor elements is selectively moved, lvarious ones of the contactor posts are resiliently contacted and when the selecting bias is removed the contacter elements return to center and rest against the shoulder on one side of the case recessed path and the stop pin on the other side of the case recessed path. In this normal centered position selected others of the contact posts `are conductively bridged.

The switch case is closed by a cover which closes the recess or pathway. The bias means are simple coil springs normally biasing the at spring contactors against the insulated stop pin and shoulder. They act against the ends of the case at one end and the flat spring contactor elements at the other end. Force to overcome the bias is applied to `the contactors by means of an arm which extends through the cover and into the path of the recess between the contactors. The cover is slotted to permit lineal movement of the arm paralleling the recess pathway.

Each of the contact posts is attached to a lead wire. The lead wires extend from the case to` connect with selected circuits. In use as an automotive directional turn indicator switch the leads permit uninterrupted operation of the brake lights with selected energization of `the right and left turn indicator lights. A center notched extension from one side of the case accommodates guide control over operating and cancelling mechanism not a part of the present invention. The

switch described vastly simpliies switches such as are used in automotive directional turn indicator systems and as a consequence of this simplicity has resulted in an extension of troublefree switch life with attendant production economies.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the assembled switch 11 is shown in FIGURE l. The switch 111 comprises a case 12, a cover 13, an actuating arm 1liextending through the cover |13, a pair of resilient, ilat spring contactor members 15 and 16, a pair of coil springs 17 and 18, and a at spring span contact 19. imbedded in the case y12 are iixed in line contact posts 2t), 21, 22, 23, and 24 vie-wing the posts in the light of eFIGURE 3 from left to right. lIn -rFlGURE 2 the parts are exploded to indicate their simplicity. FIGURE 2 also demonstrates the extreme ease of assembling the switch 11. A contact post 25, retaining the span contact 19, is also embedded in the case 112 opposite the post 22. lLeads 26, 27, 2S, 29, 311, and 3.1 are secured to the posts 2G', 21, 22, 23, 205, and 25 respectively and extend to properly join, for example, -an automobile wiring harness.

The case 12, cover 13, and arm 414 are made of non-v conducting or insulating material. The contact posts 2t), 21, `22, 23, 24, and 25 are cast or molded in place in the case 12 and are of conducting metallic material. The span contact 11) and the flat spring contactor members 15 and 16 are also formed of conducting material. The coil springs 17 and 18 are of metal material but, as will be seen, cannot short circuit selected circuits within the switch case 12.

The case i12 is provided ywith an elongate rectangular recess 32 which provides a path for substantially the length of the case 12. A shallow step 33 defines the width of the path A32 and the length is detined by the end walls 34 and 35 of the case A12. Mounting ears 36 and 37 extend from the case 12 to provide switch mounting means. A center notched extension 33 of the case 12 protrudes upwardly from one side of the case k12, upwardly being with reference to the showing of the case 12 in yFIGURE 2. The rectangular cover `13 is provided with an external guideway 39. The cover 13 defines a slot or opening iti therethrough for substantially the length of the guideway 39 which parallels the recess 32 in the case i12 when the cover 13 is in position. On assembly the cover 13 rests on the step 33 of the case 12.

Spaced along one side of the recess 32 are the imbedded posts 2t), 21, 22, 23, and 24, the posts extending into the recess `32. The centermost post 22 is supported by a stop pin 42 which rises from the hoor of the recess 32 and is adjacent and parallel with the post 22. The pin 42 is an integral extension of the case 12. Opposite the recess 32 from the pin d2 is an abutment 43 which extends into the pathway established by the recess 32. imbedded in the recess abutment 4.3 of the case 12, and therefore insulated from the recess 32, is the post 25. The post 25 is identical to the posts Ztl, 21, 22, 23, and 2d on the opposite side of the recess 32 except that it is in secure contact and holding relationship to the spanning flat spring element 19. The spanning element 1Q extends for substantially the length of the case 12 and is provided with resilient curled ends 44 and d5 which yextend into the recess 32 substantially opposite the contact posts 2G and 24 respectively. l'Ihe element .19 is retained in a channel 43a through the abutment The channel I43a is provided with spring clips 13b which act against the tlat portion of spanning element 1111` to assure simple assembly but good contact with the post 25. The clips 413b are actually extensions of the case 12 partially into the channel 43a to spring the spanning member 19 into contact with the post 25.

rl`he pair of at spring moving contactors 15 and 116 (F1GUERES 2-4 are identical but oppositely positioned resilient members in guiding contact with the walls of the recess 32 as defined by the step 33 and make conducting resilient contact with selected of the spaced apart posts.

posts 20, 21, 22,

Pockets ri and i2 are provided in the contactors 15 and 16 respectively, being bent into the flat spring forming the contactors 15 and 16 as best shown in FIGURE 3. These pockets and 49 retain one end of the coil springs 17 and 13 respectively. The general coniiguration of the contactors 15 and 16 may be likened to the letter W with an exaggerated undulation at the center forming the pockets i3 and respectively. The terminal ends of the contactors `15 and 16 are curved to ride over any obstacles in the pathway 32. Since the contactors 15 land 116 are of substantially the width of the recess 32 depth, the contactors are capable ot sliding in the recess 32, while being in resilient contact at all times with the step 33 and necessarily at least one o the posts in whatever position the contactors 15 and 16 may be selected to take. The transverse resilience of the contactors 15 and 16 in the pathway is by reason of the spring-like configuration of the contactors 15 and 16.

The coil springs -17 and 18, as shown in FIGURE 3, bias the contactors 15 and 16 into a normal position against the stop pin `42 and abutment 43 with closed contact as between posts 211 and 22 on one side and posts 22 and 23 on the other side. The bias is accomplished by the springs `17 and `1S bearing in compressed relationship upon the ends 3d and 35, respectively, of the case 12 and against the pockets fs-S and 49 of the contactors 15 and `16.

An alternative form ot` contactor is shown in FIGURE 6 as comprising essentially a U-shaped conductor 16 which may be in pairs in lieu of the elements 15 and 16.

The actuating arm 1d, having a guide flange 56 to guidingly mate with the guideway 39 in the cover 13, includes a part 14a that extends through the cover slot 4l) and into the recess 32 between the contactors A15 and 16. Movement of the arm 14 in its iixcd lineal pathway selectively moves one or the other of the contactors 15 and 16 against the corresponding coil spring bias. The contactor thus moves, always in contact with at least one post, into selected other engagement with others of the posts. In the extreme of travel, Jfor example, the contactor `15 is moved to ultimately engage posts 20 and 21 on one side of the recess 32 and one curled end 44 of the Spanner bar element 119. The other contactor '16 remains biased against the posts 22 and 23. Upon release of the arm moving force acting upon arm 14, the spring 17 returns the contactor 15 to its normal position. This caucelling eiiect is achieved by apparatus not a part of the present invention but is assisted by the cam action achieved by the notched extension 38 extending from the case -l12.

Assembly of the switch is quite simple as may be seen by reference to FGURE 2. The leads 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 are cast or molded in place with the 23, 24 and 25 respectively, or are crimped or otherwise xed to the posts after the casting Ior molding of the insulated Ibody or cas-e 12. Best results have been achieved using .dimensionally accurate injection molding. The flat spring contactors 15 and 16 are pressed into place in the recess 32 and the coil springs 17 and 13 are positioned in lthe -recess 32 poeketed by the contactors 15 and 16 and nested in the groove i7 in the bottom i6 of the lcase 12. This biases the contactors 15 and [16 into the neutral or centered normal position. The spanning element 19 is sprung into position in the channel 43a, its ends i4 and 45 providing extension contacts `from the post 25, which resilient ends 44 and 45 extend into the pathway established by the recess 32.

The cover 13 is closed on the case 12 t0l rest on the step 33 and the actuator part 14a is inserted through the slot 40 and between the contactors 15 and 16. The groove 41 in the cover 13 maintains the deformation in the springs 17 and 18. The arm 14 is movable along the guideway 39 maintained against distortion by the flange 59. The slot at? lim-its the travel of the arm `14.

In `operation the switch 11 is securely located `adjacent suitable connecting and cancelling linkage. The driver 3,1ce,e19

of an automobile, for example, manually selects a lett or right turn and moves a toggle arm. rlhe toggle overcomes the bias of spring 17 or '18 and moves the actuating arm 14 to the left or right selectively and moves with it one or the other of the contactors 115 or 16. The movement of this contacter does not disturb a fixed closed circuit main-tained 'by the undisturbed contacter as between two posts, but does select and energize an indicator circuit with the moved contacter. This overcoming of the switch bias is held 'by apparatus not a part of this invention until the turn is complete. The lever or toggle is then disengaged and 4the switch Ibias returns the selected contact back t-o center or Inormal position ready for another selected Iactuation.

The switch arrangement thus described is exceedingly simplified over known switches for a similar purpose. A minimum number of parts is required and minimum deformation of contacter members is involved. The coil springs do not require special Iinsulating provisions since they are adequately maintained against deformation by the pocketing Iby the contactor members and the insulating housing. Testing of the device by repetitive cycling has shown its ruggedness and long life. Operational usage to date indicates low cost by reason of simplification of structure and assembly.

Having thus described my invention it will `be appreciated that many modifications within the slcill of the art are possible and such modications are intended to be included limited only by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrica-l plural Contact center biased switch, the combination comprising: a case of insulating material defining a longitudinal stepped recess; a plurality of in-line spaced apart contacter posts through and into said case and extending into the path created by ythe longitudinal recess in said case on one side only; a stop extending upward from said case and adjacent to the center-most of said posts; an abutment extending trom said case `and providing stop means opposite from said stop; a conducting bar substantially paralleling said longitudinal recess and insulated therefrom by said case and having resilient tips extending into said recess near the outer extremes thereof; la pair of flat spring conducting elements resiliently spanning said recess and bent to form pockets at .their center with guide-like surfaces engaging the sides of said recess; a pair of resilient members acting longitudinally in said recess against the pockets of said ilat spring conducting elements normally urging said conducting elements into centered relationship against said stop and abutment and in closed contact with at least three of said in-line contactor posts; and actuator means selectively movable along the path established by the said recess and moving one or the other of said conducting flat springs to close electrical contact with selected other of said posts and said conducting bar.

2. A switch construction comprising a case formed of insulating material and having a longitudinally extending recess therein; a plurality of spaced apart contacts supported by said case and extending into said recess; a pair of independent conducting elements each of which is slideably mounted in said recess for independent movement from a iirst position in which it engages selected ones of said contacts to another position in which it engages selected others of said contacts, each of said conducting elements being bent to form ya pocket extending longitudinally of said recess; actuator means slideably supported by said case and having a part extending into said recess between said conducting elements; and resilient means in said recess seated in the pockets of said conducting elements and reacting between said case and said pair of conducting elements and urging the latter towards said part, said part, Isaid conducting elements, said resilient means and said contacts all being located at substantially the same level within said case.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2 wherein said case includes abutments extending into said recess intermediate its ends and against which corresponding portions of said conducting elements seat when the latter are in their said first positions.

4. A switch construction comprising a case formed of insulating material, said case having side land end walls forming a longitudinally extending recess; a plurality of spaced apart contacts supported by said case land extending into said recess; a pair of opposed conducting elements each of which is slid-eab-ly mounted in said recess tor movements from a trst position adjacent the center of said recess to a second position adjacent one end of said recess, sai-d conducting elements engaging selected contacts when in either of said positions, each of said conducting elements being bent to form a spring seat; la pair of springs mounted in said recess one Iadjacent each end wall thereof and reacting between its associated lwall and the spring sea-t of the adjacent conducting element to urge the latter toward its said first position; and an actuator member slideably mounted in said recess between said conductor elements.

5. The construction set lforth in claim 4 including stop means supported by said case and extending into said recess at the center thereof and against which said conductor elements abut.

6. A switch construction comprising a case formed otr insulating material and having a recess therein; a pl-urality of spaced apart contacts supported by said case extending into and along one side of said recess; a plurality of contact elements supported by said case and extending into and along said recess at the opposite side thereof; a pair `of opposed independent conducting elements each of which is slideably mounted in said recess for independent sliding movement ffrom a first position 4adjacent the center of said recess .to `a second position at the adjacent end of the latter, each of said conducting elements being in engagement with selected ones of said contacts in one of said positions and in engagement with one :of said contact elements fand with selected others of said contacts in the other of said positions; an actuating member slideably supported by said case for movement from a rst position adjacent the center or said recess towand either end thereof 'and having a part extending into said recess between said conducting elements for engagement therewith; and a pair of springs received in said recess, said springs being loca-ted one between each end of said recess and one of said conducting elements and acting on the latter .to urge it and said part towards their said iirst positions, said conducting elements, said part and said springs all being located at substantially the same level 'within said case.

7. A direction signal switch construction comprising a casing formed of insulating material and having a recess therein; rst terminal means in said recess lbetween the ends thereof; second terminal means in said recess between the ends thereof; electrically conductive Spanner means -connected :to said second terminal means and eX- tending on opposite sides thereof into said recess; a plurality of electrical contacts supported by said casing and extending into said recess; a pair of opposed independent conducting elements in said recess on opposite sides of said -iirst and second terminal means and mounted for sliding movement independently of one another from a firs-t position in engagement with said first terminal means and in engagement with selected one-s of said contacts, to a second position away from said rst terminal means and in engagement with selected others of said contacts and with said Spanner means; movable actuator means interposed between said switch members for engagement with either of 4the latter and movable relatively to said casing in either of two opposite 4directions from a neutral position ttor effecting movement of a selected switch memiber from its first position to its second position; and a pair of springs received in said recess, said springs being located `one between each end of said re- Cess and one of said conducting elements and acting on the latter to urge it and said actuator means toward their respective irst and neutral positions, said contacts, said Spanner means, said switch members, said movable actuato'r `means and said springs all being located at substantially the same level in said easing.

1,807,398 Fleek May 26, 1931 3 Gotham Mar. 6, 1934 Sullender Aug. 6, 1935 Souza May 23, 195() Hopkn Oct. 27, 1953 Stevenson Mar. 16, 1954 Pearl June 7, 1955 Clay-ton et al. May 29, 1956 Hatholrn et al Sept. 11, 1956 Carling Apr. 12, 1957 Dryer Apr. 14, 1959 Floani Dec. S, 1959 

4. A SWITCH CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A CASE FORMED OF INSULATING MATERIAL, SAID CASE HAVING SIDE AND END WALLS FORMING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDINGRECESS; A PLURALITY OF SPACED APART CONTACTS SUPPORTED BY SAID CASE AND EXTENDING INTO SAID RECESS; A PAIR OF OPPOSED CONDUCTING ELEMENTS EACH OF WHICH IS SLIDEABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECESS FOR MOVEMENTS FROM A FIRST POSITION ADJACENT THE CENTER OF SAID RECESS TO A SECOND POSITION ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID RECESS, SAID CONDUCTING ELEMENTS ENGAGING SELECTED CONTACTS WHEN IN EITHER OF SAID POSITIONS, EACH OF SAID CONDUCTING ELEMENTS BEING BENT TO FORM A SPRING SEAT; A PAIR OF SPRINGS MOUNTED IN SAID RECESS ONE ADJACENT EACH END WALL THEREOF AND REACTING BETWEEN ITS ASSOCIATED WALL AND THE SPRING SEAT OF THE ADJACENT CONDUCTING ELEMENT TO URGE THE LATTER TOWARD ITS SAID FIRST POSITION; AND AN ACTUATOR MEMBER SLIDEABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RECESS BETWEEN SAID CONDUCTOR ELEMENTS. 